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Falls are the most common cause of minor injury during pregnancy. Most falls during pregnancy fortunately do not result in serious injuries to mom or baby. As your body changes and your center of gravity changes during pregnancy falls become more likely. It is important to take extra care and caution while navigating through your daily activities and to avoid activities or sports that require a lot balance. Most often it is mom that injured in a fall and not baby. The baby is very well protected in her little nest. The amniotic fluid, your pelvis, and abdominal wall provide protection and cushioning too the baby in the event of a fall.
If you do take a fall during pregnancy call your doctor. Often your doctor will want to examine you to ensure there has been no harm to the baby and to make sure you are alright as well. Your doctor will definitely want to hear from you if you experience any spotting, unusual swelling, contractions, you don’t feel the baby moving after your fall, or any other unusual symptoms. Even if you think the fall was nothing and you weren’t injured it is still best to call your doctor. If your fall was serious and you think you suffered a more serious injury like a broken bone, or your fall resulted in your water breaking and the onset of contractions head to the hospital right away.
The best approach is to do your best to prevent a fall by slowing down, watching your balance, watching where you are going, and not participating in activities that increase your risk of a fall. However, no matter what you do there is still a chance of a fall. Always consult your doctor after a fall, treat your injuries as necessary under the advice of your doctor, avoid x-rays if possible, and take it easy.
The average cost of an adoption in the United States is $10,000 to $20,000. Some do cost much more and some cost less. The cost of the adoption will be influenced by the agency you work with, your state laws, whether your adoption is local or international, and the age of the child you are adopting.
Making the decision to adopt is a big one. Some couples choose to adopt because they are experiencing infertility and adoption is their only chance to start a family, others are looking to add to their existing family and either can’t or don’t want to have more children of their own, while other couples choose adoption because they feel a need to help children. No matter what brings you to the decision to adopt it is a good option for starting or growing your family.
Due to the expense of adoption many families must consider all their options in terms of financing. Most families don’t have the funds necessary just sitting in a bank account some where! Here in the United States there are many avenues a family can go down in order to get assistance with the financial burdens of adoption. I encourage you to talk to an adoption planner or counselor if you are planning an adoption to figure out what financial assistance may be available to you.
Here are a few of the assistance programs commonly available:
- Employee Benefits: Many employers now offer adoption assistance as part of their employee benefits package. Review your benefits package and talk with your manager or human resources representative to find out more about what is available, who is eligible, and what you have to do to take advantage of this benefit.
- Federal Tax Credit: There is a tax credit of up to $10,000 available under the United States federal tax law if you make under $190,000. Contact the IRS or a tax accountant to find out more about this credit.
- State Tax Credit: Many states also offer a tax credit. Contact your local tax office or a tax accountant to find out if your state offers a tax credit.
- Military Benefits: In most cases the US Military will reimburse up to $2000 for adoption expenses for active duty military personnel. If you are in the military talk with your Commanding Officer about your eligibility.
- Dependency Exemption and Child Tax Credit: These are not specific adoption benefits, however, for parents trying to figure out the finances of adoption the available dependency exemptions and child tax credits at both the federal and state levels may give you the added money you are looking for.
- Adoption Loans: Many large insurance companies and financial institutions now offer adoption loans. These can be great ways to come up with the money necessary to finalize the adoption and can then be paid off with tax benefits or employer benefits you receive after the adoption.
- Private Grants: Some organizations offer private grants for families seeking to adopt, particularly those more socio-economically challenged families. To find out more about available private grants contact the National Adoption Foundation at 203-791-3811.
Considering the financial burden of adoption can be overwhelming for some families. Knowing all the financial assistance available to you can make going down the road to adoption a little easier. Talk with your adoption counselor, a local adoption agency, or a financial planner to determine what assistance if available to you and how you can take advantage of it.
Did you adopt? How did you come up with the necessary funds? What options did you find that you weren’t aware of?
There are the big milestones that often get talked about, written down in baby books, and bragged about to other parents. Things like the first smile, sitting up, walking, talking, etc. But our children reach many milestones throughout their early life that go unsung. There are so many changes taking place and so many things being learned.
Here are a few of the unsung milestones.
- Sees in stereo – 2-4 Months: At first your baby sees in only 2 dimensions. As his cerebral cortex develops he will begin to merge the images from both eyes, seeing in stereo!
- First Real Laugh – 4-5 Months: Again, as your baby’s cerebral cortex develops those little smiles you have been seeing since about 2-3 months will turn into true laughter. Your baby will begin laughing in response to things. You’ll notice a little sense of humor developing.
- Responds to Own Name – 5-8 Months: At this stage your child will begin to look at you when you call her name. She may even turn in your direction if you are talking about her to someone else and she hears her name in the conversation.
- Can Pump Legs on a Swing – 4-5 Years: At this age your child will begin to figure out how to pump his legs on the swing to get himself moving.
- Two-sided Body Control – 7-8 Years: Now the two sides of your child’s brain are talking to each other well and your child’s brain can tell her hands to perform different functions at the same time. With two-sided body control your child will be able to hold a piece of paper in one hand and write with the other.
- Shows Modesty – 8-9 Years: A desire for privacy will develop and a sense of embarrassment. A child who once would run around naked may now get embarrassed and even blush if in the nude.
There are so many milestones your child will reach throughout her life. Each one is special and a joy to watch. I have fun keeping track of the little things my daughter does. Even if it isn’t a huge milestone I know I will want to remember the things later on when she is all grown up.
If you are concerned at all about your child’s development talk with your pediatrician.
Babies need a lot of sleep. Their bodies are growing, their brains are growing, and they are learning new things at an alarming rate. All of this means they get tired quickly. During the first few weeks of life, even months for some babies, it will seem like your baby is sleeping all the time. They pretty do with a few awake times for eating and a little activity time, but other than that they sleep. As your baby gets a little older and more active you will notice that those awake times become longer and more frequent. Eventually your baby will get into a pattern of taking 1-4 naps per day. The number of naps and the length of those naps will totally depend on your baby. Each baby is different.
I'm lucky, my daughter is a pretty good sleeper. She sleeps through the night 9-11 hours and takes 2 naps during the day that range any where from 40 minutes to 2 hours (or more) in length. She is very much a routine baby. She is very fussy if I don't stick with her regular schedule. I know this about her so I accommodate her as best I can. Her schedule is very predictable so it is easy to arrange the day's schedule around her naps and bed time.
For many parents struggling with sleep problems, figuring out and sticking with a schedule is key to winning this battle. Some babies are "free-spirits" and will nap whenever, where ever. But for most they like a routine and regular schedule along with the comfort of their own bed. Figuring out your baby's napping pattern is key to developing a schedule you can work with and around. It just boils down to knowing your baby, and figuring out your baby's schedule.
Try not to stress too much about your baby's naps. As long as your baby is getting enough sleep throughout the day and the night and doesn't have any problems resulting from lack of sleep than there isn't anything to worry about. Don't expect your baby to be like someone else's baby or to fit into the mold described in a book. Just like adults are all different when it comes to sleep, so are babies.
Some tricks for making naptime work:
- Stick with a regular routine. If you know your baby gets fussy for a nap at 9am every morning, don't plan a trip to the mall at that time, or a doctor's appointment, etc.
- If your baby only naps well in their own bed, try to be home at naptime.
- A baby who naps well during the day usually sleeps well at night. An over-tired baby just doesn't sleep well. Make naps part of your daily schedule, and recognize their importance.
Naps are important for your baby's development. If you are concerned about your baby's napping take to your pediatrician.
Shopping for a baby is a ton of fun, but also pretty expensive if you aren’t careful. So, if you add a second baby to the mix the expenses can really add up. But do you really need to buy double of everything? No, probably not. There are many things you can get away with only one of.
The twins will likely share a nursery so doubling up on everything will quickly mean there is no room to move around. You will, of course, need two cribs. Each baby needs a place to sleep after all! But when it comes to the other nursery furniture essentials you can probably safely get away with only one. Only one dresser, one change table, and of course only one rocking chair. You may need to purchase another dresser later on (especially of they end up in their own rooms eventually) but for a few years one should do the trick.
Things you will need double of (probably):
- Crib
- Carseat
- Bouncy seat
- Swing
- Clothes (you can probably get away with enough for one and a half babies!!!)
- Baby feeding supplies (maybe not double but definitely extras)
Things you probably only need one of:
- Change table
- Dresser
- Diaper bag
- Stroller (you’ll need a double stroller though!)
- Playmat (they can play on it together, although once they get too big you may need a second one)
- Rocking Chair
- Toys (they can share)
- Monitor
When you set out to start buying stuff think carefully about what you really need to double up on and what you don’t. Baby gear gets expensive, no need to end up with more than you need. Especially since you’ll need to buy a ton of diapers for those two little bottoms!